Method and system for printing specific print zones using a bundled print head shuttle assembly

Abstract

A method and system for printing specific print zones of a substrate is described. A bundled shuttle print head assembly is utilized to print desired print zones of a substrate in a single pass while the substrate is stationary in a stopped position.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for printing a sequence of at least two substrates comprising: 
       receiving the first substrate;  
       transporting the first substrate to a print position;  
       printing at least two print zones on the first substrate by moving a bundled print head shuttle carriage having at least two print heads from a first position to a second position along a path for printing on the first substrate in the print position while printing the print zones of the first substrate;  
       receiving a second substrate;  
       then transporting the first substrate out of the print position;  
       transporting the second substrate to a second print position; and  
       then printing at least two print zones on the second substrate by moving the bundled print head shuttle carriage from the second position to the first position along the path for printing on the second substrate in the second print position while printing the print zones of the second substrate.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
       maintaining the print heads by purging the heads; and  
       maintaining the print heads by wiping the print heads and capping the print heads.  
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the substrates comprise envelopes. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the print position and the second print position are the same location. 
     
     
       5. A method for printing a sequence of at least two substrates comprising: 
       receiving the first substrate;  
       transporting the first substrate to a stop print position;  
       printing at least two print zones on the first substrate by moving a bundled print head shuttle carriage having at least two print heads from a first position to a second position while printing the print zones of the first substrate;  
       transporting the first substrate out of the stop print position;  
       receiving a second substrate;  
       transporting the second substrate to a second stop print position; and  
       printing at least two print zones on the second substrate by moving the bundled print head shuttle carriage from the second position to the first position while printing the print zones of the second substrate;  
       maintaining the print heads by purging the heads at the first position and the second position; and  
       maintaining the print heads by wiping the print heads and capping the print heads at the first position and the second position.  
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  further comprising: 
       ejecting the first substrate.  
     
     
       7. A printer system comprising: 
       a substrate feeder;  
       a substrate transporter connected to the substrate feeder for positioning a first substrate in a print position;  
       a bundled shuttle print head carriage having at least two adjacent print heads;  
       a carriage positioning system for transporting the bundled shuttle print head carriage from a first position to a second position through a print path over the first substrate in the stop print position;  
       the substrate transporter connected to the substrate feeder for positioning a second substrate in the print position before the carriage positioning system is returned to the first position;  
       the carriage positioning system for transporting the bundled shuttle print head carriage from the second position to the first position through the print path over the second substrate in the stop print position; and  
       a maintenance station positioned near the first position for contacting the carriage for maintaining the print heads.  
     
     
       8. The printer system of  claim 7  wherein: 
       the maintenance station further comprises a wiper and a cap for each print head.  
     
     
       9. The printer system of  claim 7  wherein: 
       the at least two adjacent print heads each have a print area that are configured such that the print areas are adjacent.  
     
     
       10. The printer system of  claim 7  wherein: 
       the substrate transporter comprises a rubber belt driven by an electric motor.  
     
     
       11. The printer system of  claim 7  wherein: 
       the substrate comprises an envelope.  
     
     
       12. The printer system of  claim 7  wherein: 
       the print heads comprise one half inch wide print areas.  
     
     
       13. A print head assembly comprising: 
       a shuttle carriage;  
       a first group of print heads in the shuttle carriage having at least two adjacent print heads each with a print area configured to have the print areas adjacent to the print area of the adjacent print head; and  
       a second group of print heads in the shuttle carriage having at least two adjacent print heads each with a print area configured to have the print areas adjacent to the print area of the adjacent print head, wherein  
       at least two of the print heads are connected in the shuttle carriage in opposing directions.  
     
     
       14. The print head assembly of  claim 13  wherein: 
       the first group and second group of print heads comprise thermal inkjet print heads.  
     
     
       15. The print head assembly of  claim 13  wherein: the carriage is connected to a carriage positioning system.